Opposing the plan was a local chapter of Americans for Prosperity, a front group for the Koch brothers and supporter of various Tea Party efforts.

Yeah, you read that right. This clean energy battle was both won and lost by the Tea Party. That's how they roll in the land of clay and peach pits.

Despite exaggerated warnings from the AFP about the massive rate increases and losses in power reliability, the Patriots were unconvinced and instead viewed the expansion of solar power capacity as as an expansion of the free market, as well as providing customers with more energy sources to choose from.

The Koch brothers have had trouble all year in their battle to get states to ignore climate change and put the kibosh on green energy. even GOP-dominated legislatures have recognized the job creation benefits of wind and solar power and have denied the Koch's attempts to do away with policies that require public utilities to use more clean energy.

But to lose to the Tea Party must really sting. At least, wee hope it does.

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